Gustafson grabs clubhouse lead on day two

Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson fired a flawless five under par 67 on Thursday morning to grab the clubhouse lead at six under par during the second round of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.

The four-time order of merit leader had five birdies at the third, sixth, ninth, 12th and 16th holes on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club.

Gustafson said that her ball striking was the key and had improved markedly since she took a lesson from the Swedish Golf Federation coaches Patrik Johnsson and Katarina Vagndahl earlier in the week, adding that she was hitting the ball terribly in the Pro Am on Tuesday.

Gustafson, the leading points’ scorer during Europe’s Solheim Cup victory in September, said: “I was striking the ball really well. So it feels good. My ball striking has been pretty similar, at least today’s, but I didn’t hole any yesterday, and I holed a couple today, but I left putts out there.

“It is pretty good, because I was actually hitting the ball awful on Tuesday during the Pro Am, but the Swedish coaches that are here this week from the Swedish Golf Federation helped me find my ball striking.”

Fellow Swede Lotta Wahlin, who led by a stroke overnight on six under 66, double bogeyed the par-four first hole but was back to level for the day after birdies at the second and the third holes.

Paraguayan Julieta Granada ended five under after a 71 while Finland’s Minea Blomqvist was also making a charge.

American Michelle Wie carded a 67 to finish at four under par and credited improved putting, while Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg was also on four under after a round of 68.